Recruited
in the counties of
Allegheny, Clarion,
Armstrong, Jefferson,
and Blair.
Mustered in July 4, 1861
Mustered out July 3, 1864
Total enrollment 1600
Killed and died of wounds.
Officers
7, Men 147
Wounded, Officers 30, Men 473
Died of disease Men 77
Total 744

SERVICE.--Camp near Fort Corcoran, Defenses of Washington,
D.C., until October, 1861, and near Fall's Church, Va., until
March, 1862. Moved to the Peninsula March 22-24. Reconnaissance
to Big Bethel March 30. Howard's Mills, near Cockletown, April
4. Warwick Road April 5. Siege of Yorktown April 5-May 4. Hanover
C. H. May 27. Operations about Hanover C. H. May 27-29. Seven
days before Richmond June 25-July 1. Battles of Mechanicsville
June 26; Gaines Mill June 27; Savage Station June 29; Turkey Bridge
or Malvern Cliff June 30; Malvern Hill July 1. At Harrison's Landing
until August 16. Movement to Fortress Monroe, thence to Centreville
August 16-28. Battle of Bull Run August 30. Battle of Antietam,
Md., September 16-17. Shepherdstown Ford September 19. Blackford's
Ford September 19. Reconnaissance to Smithfield October 16-17.
Battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 12-15. Expedition to Richard's
and Ellis' Fords, Rappahannock River, December 30-31. Burnside's
second Campaign, "Mud March," January 20-24, 1863. At
Falmouth until April. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6.
Battle of Chancellorsville May 1-5. Middleburg June 19. Upperville
June 21. Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3. Pursuit of Lee July
5-24. Duty on line of the Rappahannock until October. Bristoe
Campaign October 9-22. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November
7-8. Rappahannock Station November 7. Mine Run Campaign November
26-December 2. Duty at Bealeton Station until May, 1864. Rapidan
Campaign May 4-June 12. Battles of the Wilderness May 5-7; Laurel
Hill May 8; Spottsylvania May 8-12; Spottsylvania C, H. May 12-21.
Assault on the Salient May 12. North Anna River May 23-26. Jericho
Ford May 25. Line of the Pamunkey May 26-28. Totopotomoy May 28-31.
Cold Harbor June 1-12. Bethesda Church June 1-3. Before Petersburg
June 16-18. Siege of Petersburg until July 3. Left front July
3. Mustered out July 13, 1864. Companies "L" and "M"
transferred to 91st Pennsylvania. Mustered out August 15, 1864.
Veterans and Recruits transferred to 155th Pennsylvania.

Regiment lost during service 17 Officers and 152 Enlisted
men killed and mortally wounded and 89 Enlisted men by disease.
Total 258.

The Sixty-second Regiment, was recruited under authority granted to
Colonel Samuel W. Black, by the Secretary of War, Hon. Simon Cameron. This
order was issued on the 4th of July, 1861, and in less than a month its
ranks were full. Companies A, B, F, G, H, K, and L, were recruited in
Allegheny county, C, and E in Clarion, I in Jefferson, and M in Blair.
Original authority was given for raising ten companies, which was afterwards
extended to twelve, and it was understood by the officers who were empowered
to recruit them, that they would be mustered and commissioned by the
National authority. But the Governors of States claimed the right to
commission all officers of troops raised in their respective Commonwealths.
Thereupon a controversy arose which lasted until late in the fall of 1861.
During the pendency of this question, the regiment was designated the
Thirty-third Independent Regiment. Finally, on the 19th of November, an
order was issued from the War Department, placing all independent regiments
on the same footing as other State troops, and immediately thereafter the
officers of this regiment were commissioned by the Governor of Pennsylvania,
the commissions bearing date of July 4th. The field officers were as
follows: Samuel W. Black, of Pittsburg, formerly Lieutenant Colonel of the
Second Pennsylvania Regiment in the Mexican War, Colonel; T. Fred'k Lehman,
of Pittsburg, Lieutenant Colonel; J. Bowman Sweitzer, of Pittsburg, Major.
Subsequently Lieutenant Colonel Lehman was promoted to Colonel of the One
Hundred and Third Regiment, and Major Sweitzer succeeded him, Captain J. W.
Patterson being appointed Major. In the meantime, the Governor had given
authority to numerous parties for recruiting regiments, for which numbers
had been assumed without regard to the independent regiments. Hence, when it
came to be adopted as a State organization, it was designated the
Sixty-second.

On the 24th of July, the regiment with full ranks, completely
officered and organized, moved from Pittsburg to Camp Cameron, in the
neighborhood of Harrisburg, whence, after a few weeks' experience of camp
life, it proceeded to Baltimore, and thence to Washington, encamping at Camp
Rapp, on Kendall Green, in the northern suburbs of the city. Here the
regiment received a complete outfit of clothing, arms, and equipments, six
companies having the improved Springfield rifles, and the remaining ones,
smooth bore muskets. On the 11th of September, the regiment crossed the
Potomac and went into camp near Fort Corcoran, where it was assigned to the
Second Brigade (Division commanded by General Porter. Drill was immediately
commenced, but was little prosecuted in consequence of the numerous details
required for fatigue duty, the men being almost constantly employed in
constructing roads, throwing up intrenchments, and in cutting away the pine
forests beyond Arlington Heights. On the 26th, the lines of the army were
advanced and reformed, the enemy, who had occupied Munson's Hill, falling
back.)

The camp of the Sixty-second, in the new line, fell near Fall's
Church, on the Alexandria, Loudon and Hampshire Railroad. A few weeks later
it moved to Minor's Hill, where it went into winter quarters in camp Bettie
Black, named for the Colonel's youngest daughter, and where drill and
discipline were regularly and rigidly enforced. The routine here established
required squad drill from six to nine A. M., company drill from ten to
twelve A. M., and battalion drill from one to five P. M. daily. The entire
division was drilled at intervals, and occasionally was engaged in sham
battles. A school for officers was established which was held regularly at
evening. The men were thoroughly drilled in bayonet exercises, which,
however, proved of little practical utility, farther than imparting skill in
handling the musket as in practice the troops almost invariably charged with
the bayonet in the scabbard. The regiment had received a flag before leaving
Pittsburg in July, a present from ladies of that city. The presentation of
the State colors was made in December, at Hall's Hill, Colonel Black
responding in behalf of the regiment in his usual felicitous manner.

Early in the winter, a malignant form of camp fever prevailed among
the troops, from the effects of which several died. Strict sanitary
regulations were adopted by Surgeon Kerr, and its ravages were soon stayed.
The winter was spent in constant duty, the men being drilled and
disciplined, reviewed and inspected, until heartily sick of camp life, and
anxious for the real business of war. On the 10th of March, in common with
the army, it moved upon the enemy's works at Manassas to find them
abandoned. At Fairfax Court House, the regiment was halted, where it
remained until the 15th, when it marched to Alexandria it having been
determined to transfer the army to the Peninsula. Embarking upon transports,
it moved to Fortress Monroe, and upon its arrival went into camp near the
ruins of the little village of Hampton, which had been destroyed by order of
General Magruder. Soon after its arrival it joined in a reconnaissance in
the direction of Yorktown. At Big Bethel the movement terminated, and the
troops returned again to camp. On the 3d of April the army moved upon
Yorktown, the regiment marching up near the enemy's works, the men beholding
for the first time the rebel grey. In the skirmishing which ensued, it moved
forward under fire and took position in line of battle; but the enemy were
soon obliged to evacuate, the Sixty-second losing in the operation one
killed and three wounded. During the protracted preparations for carrying
the hostile works, the men were kept constantly employed upon the trenches.
In the progress of the siege, several died from disease. Colonel Black was
first apprised of the evacuation, by three deserters who came in with a flag
of truce, the regiment happening to be on picket near the river on the night
in which it was made.

General Porter's division remained in the vicinity of Yorktown until
the 8th of May, when it embarked upon transports and moved up the York River
to a, point opposite West Point, where it landed and went into camp. While
here, the Fifth Provisional Corps was formed, to the command of which
General Porter was assigned, General Morrell assuming command of Porter's
Division, and Brigadier General Charles Griffin, of the Second Brigade. The
army moved forward on either side of the Chickahominy, Porter's Corps
remaining upon the left bank. On the 26th, it arrived at Gaines' Mill, and
on the following day, in obedience to the orders of the Commander-in-Chief,
General Porter proceeded to Hanover Court House, for the purpose of
destroying the Richmond and Fredericksburg Railroad and forming a junction
with M'Dowell's Corps, supposed to be advancing upon the line of that road.
The First Brigade, General Martindale, had the advance and first encountered
the enemy; the Second Brigade moving at double quick to its support, and
marching some distance to the music of Griffin's guns, which were being
rapidly served. Arriving on the field, the brigade was ordered into position
on Martindale's right, and being quickly deployed in line of battle, the
order to charge was given, and dashing forward soon engaged the enemy,
putting him to flight, capturing all his camp and garrison equipage with
many prisoners.'" In the course of the afternoon's operations," says Colonel
Black in his official report, "we captured eighty-one prisoners, including
seven officers. From a, great many arms taken, about seventy-five were
brought into camp. By the annexed statement it will be seen that our loss is
only six men wounded, none killed, and not one missing. I should do the
brave and faithful men, I have the honor to command, injustice, if I
refrained from expressing, in strong terms, my admiration of their conduct
from first to last. In common with the other regiments of your brigade, they
went into action with their bodies broken by fatigue, and their physical
strength wasted by the hard toils of the day. But their spirits failed not,
and they went in and came out with whatever credit is due to dangers bravely
met, and the noblest duty well performed."

The division returned at night to its camp near Gaines' Mill,
M'Dowell's Corps having been prevented from joining the Army of the Potomac
by the demonstrations of the enemy in the Shenandoah Valley. The regiment
was engaged in picket duty and in constructing bridges across the
Chickahominy and roads leading thereto, until the 26th of June, when the
enemy, advancing by Mechanicsville, encountered the Pennsylvania Reserve
Corps at Beaver Dam Creek. The Second Brigade was ordered to move hastily to
its support. A severe battle ensued, in which the Reserves stubbornly
contested the ground, and successfully held it. The Sixty-second arrived
upon the field in the evening and for an hour was under fire, but not
actively engaged. Withdrawing his troops on the following morning, Porter
retired to Gaines' Mill, where, upon an elevation, east and south of the
mill, he disposed his forces and awaited the advance of the enemy. Morrell's
Division held the extreme left of the line, its left resting on the slope
extending to the low grounds skirting the Chickahominy, Griffin's Brigade
forming the right of the division, and connecting with the left of Sykes.
Division. Upon the opening of the battle on the Union left by the advance of
Longstreet's Corps, the Sixty-second, with the Ninth Massachusetts, was
ordered forward in the face of a terrific fire of infantry, and, charging
across a ravine in front, gained the woods upon the opposite side, driving
back the enemy, and inflicting fearful slaughter. In this charge, and before
reaching the woods, the gallant Colonel Black, while advancing with his men,
was stricken down and instantly killed. Without heeding the loss of their
leader, the men pressed forward under command of Lieutenant Colonel
Sweitzer, until they had driven the rebels back, and attained a position
considerably in advance of the main line of battle. This being discovered by
the enemy, heat once launched his forces upon their flank, and by a grievous
enfilading fire forced them to withdraw. Re-forming in the open field on the
right of the woods, the men were scarcely in position, the battle still
raging furiously, when General Seymour rode up to Lieutenant Colonel
Sweitzer and hurriedly inquired if the regiment had ammunition. He was
informed that it had been heavily engaged during the entire afternoon, and
that the ammunition was completely exhausted. He at once directed the
cartridge boxes to be filled, and ordered Lieutenant Colonel Sweitzer to
proceed with the regiment to the extreme left of the line, to check the
fiery onset of the enemy in that direction. Marching at double quick over
swampy ground, towards the Chickahominy, to the point indicated, the
regiment with ranks sadly thinned was formed, and boldly charged up the
hill, and into the wood, receiving, as it entered it, a heavy volley of
musketry. The fire was at once returned, and the battle, which was now
raging along the entire line, became more furious than at any previous stage
of the fight. Soon the line upon the right gave way, overborne by vastly
superior numbers, and the enemy charging upon a battery on the flank of the
regiment, forced it to retire, and with the entire Union line was carried
back towards the river. In this last struggle, Lieutenant Colonel Sweitzer,
who was determined to contest the ground to the last, was captured, and sent
to Richmond where he was incarcerated in Libby Prison. The army now fell
back, fighting its way towards the James, the Sixty second arriving at
Malvern Hill on the night of the 30th of June. In the fierce battle of the
following day, the regiment, without field officers, was led by Captain
James C. Hull of company A, and early in the engagement was sent to the
support of Battery D, of the Fifth United States Artillery. This battery
became a special target for the rebel guns massed in its front, and when
they failed to silence it, his infantry charged upon it with determined
bravery, but were signally repulsed. In this fiery ordeal the regiment
suffered severely. Lieutenant John D. Elder was among the killed. In the
confusion incident to charging and counter-charging, the color-bearer,
Sergeant Smith, was cut off with others from the regiment, and was near
being captured; but with remarkable presence of mind, he secreted the flag
upon his person and hid himself in a stable near by. Favored by the charge
of a Union Brigade, he made his escape and brought off the flag in safety.
For his gallantry on this occasion, he was commissioned a lieutenant.

On the following day the army fell back to Harrison's Landing, where
the regiment went into camp. On the 31st of July in the engagement of
Harrison’s Bar, it was again exposed, but suffered little. The entire loss
in the series of engagements upon the Peninsula was two hundred and
ninety-eight in killed, wounded, and missing. Lieutenant Colonel Sweitzer,
upon his release from prison, re-joined his command and was promoted to
Colonel; Captain Hull was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, Major Patterson
having resigned, and William G. Lowry was appointed Major.

In leaving the Peninsula Porter's Corps was the first to march,
breaking camp on the 14th of August. Crossing the Chickahominy near its
mouth, it proceeded by Williamsburg, and Yorktown, and reached Newport News
on the18th, a march of sixty miles in three days. Immediately embarking, it
proceeded by transports to Acquia Creek, and thence by rail to
Fredericksburg. After its arrival, the regiment was ordered to duty in
guarding the fords of the Rappahannock. As soon as it was discovered that
the rebel army was crossing above, it was withdrawn, and re-joined the
division, which had already effected a junction with Pope's Army. In the
second battle of Bull Run, the Sixty-second was slightly engaged on the
27th, at Gainesville, losing two wounded; but during the remaining days of
that desperate and unfortunate struggle, it remained in reserve with the
rest of Porter's Corps. From Centreville, to which the army had retired, the
line of march for Maryland was taken up, and on the 4th of September the
regiment encamped on the old ground at Minor's Hill, in camp Bettie Black,
where it had passed the winter of 1861. Each company went into its old
position, but so reduced by the hard service of the year, that it could
muster but little more than a corporal's guard, in strange contrast to the
full ranks with which it started for the field.

In the battle of Antietam, which soon followed, Porter's Corps was
posted in the centre, and the Second Brigade supported a battery of twenty
pieces, which, being advantageously posted, played an important part in the
fight, doing fearful execution. On the 30th, the enemy having retired across
the Potomac, the Sixty-second was ordered on a reconnaissance to the
Virginia shore, for the purpose of developing the enemy's strength. Crossing
at an early hour, at Blackford's Ford, the regiment was formed and companies
L and M were deployed as skirmishers. No enemy was visible, and to all
appearances he had withdrawn his forces. A few stragglers were captured, and
a number of muskets were gathered, when the regiment re-crossed the river,
and the entire corps was put in motion to follow up the retreating army; but
scarcely had the One Hundred and Eighteenth Pennsylvania, which formed the
head of the column, reached the opposite shore, when the enemy debouched in
heavy columns from a thick wood, and made an impetuous assault upon this
isolated force, killing and capturing many, and driving the rest in
confusion back to the river. General Morrell had taken the precaution to
plant a battery to cover the crossing, which was immediately opened, and
soon succeeded in checking and driving the assaulting party. After this
affair the army remained in comparative quiet, resting upon the banks of the
Potomac, until the close of October.

In the re-organization of the army under General Burnside, the Centre
Grand Division which embraced the Third and Fifth Corps was assigned to the
command of General Hooker. Whereupon General Butterfield assumed command of
the Fifth Corps, General Griffin of the First Division, and Colonel Sweitzer
of the Second Brigade, leaving the Sixty-second in command of Lieutenant
Colonel Hull. The battle of Fredericksburg was opened upon the right by a
struggle for laying of the pontoon bridges, and as the buildings upon the
opposite bank furnished protection to sharp-shooters, was followed by a
heavy cannonade of the town. The bridges having been successfully laid, the
troops began to move over and to engage the enemy. The Second Brigade
crossed at noon of Saturday, December 13th; but it had scarcely passed the
bridge when an order was received from General Griffin for it to return, and
the counter-move had been nearly executed, when it was again ordered to
advance, the column being kept upon the bridge marching and counter-marching
for a considerable time, all the while exposed to a fierce cannonade from
the enemy's guns upon the heights. Passing up through the town, over streets
raked by artillery, the column on reaching the suburbs, turned to the right,
and moving out past the brick kiln, and crossing the railroad track, was
moving along the bank of a canal, when suddenly the line upon the right
seemed to have given way, and the crowd of stragglers rushing to the rear,
threw the brigade into temporary confusion. Order was quickly restored, and
the canal serving as a barrier, the stampede was checked. Soon afterwards an
order was received for the brigade to advance, when, throwing aside
knapsacks and overcoats, it moved forward in excellent order, under a heavy
fire, until it had reached a point within thirty or forty yards of the stone
wall in front of Marye's Heights, behind which the enemy's infantry was
concealed. To advance farther in face of the torrent of missiles which here
swept their ranks, was impossible, and the men dropped upon the ground, and
for a day and two nights they held this advanced position, where to raise a
head in daylight was almost certain death. It was while advancing over the
ground to t his perilous position, that General Burnside, while viewing the
column by the aid of his field glass, inquired, "What troops are those?"
"Second Brigade, General Griffin's Division," replied General Sturgis, who
stood by his side. "No troops ever behaved better in the world," exclaimed
General Burnside. Lying flat upon the ground in mud and water, with the
dying and the dead thickly strewn about them, and no possibility of caring
for or removing them, the men clung to the ground they had so nobly won,
until Sunday night, when, under cover of darkness, they were relieved and
returned to the town. On Monday evening the regiment was again sent to the
front to picket the line and throw up sham intrenchments, while the army was
retiring across the river. When nearly over, those on picket quietly and
hastily followed, and on reaching the shore the regiment returned to its old
camping ground. The loss was two officers and five men killed, and seven
officers and fifty-six men wounded. Lieutenant Stephen C. Potts, and
Adjutant James E. Cunningham were among the killed. The latter was struck by
a cannon ball and died without a struggle. Colonel Sweitzer was wounded and
his horse killed.

Shortly after the battle, a cavalry raid to the west and south of
Richmond, under General Averell, was ordered, and the First Division of the
Fifth Corps was detailed to accompany the force to the crossing of the
Rappahannock, and support it in making the passage. The regiment moved on
the afternoon of the 29thof December, and at Hartwood Church, the First and
Third brigades diverged to the river, while the Second was directed to
proceed to Unionville, fifteen miles further up, and await orders. Here
General Averell was met, and an order received countermanding the
contemplated raid, when the brigade retraced its steps, arriving in camp
that evening, having marched during the day under a heavy snow storm,
thirty-three miles. In January, 1863, the regiment moved on Burnside's
second campaign, which was arrested by the mud, and was for several days
engaged in constructing roads for the return of the artillery. Active
operations were resumed under General Hooker on the 27th of April, when the
campaign resulting in the battle of Chancellorsville opened. The Fifth
Corps, now under command of General Meade, preceded by the Eleventh and
Twelfth, moved up the river, crossed the Rappahannock at Kelly's Ford, the
Rapidan at Ely's Ford, and proceeded with but little opposition to the
neighborhood of the Chancellor House, where the line of battle was
established, the Fifth occupying the left, stretching out towards the liver.
On the afternoon of the 30th the regiment was ordered with the brigade to
the support of General Griffin, who had been sent out with the First Brigade
of his division to reconnoitre in the direction of Fredericksburg; but
without being engaged. On the following day, May 1st, the division was again
ordered to the left, but the time was principally spent in marching and
counter-marching with seeming much uncertainty of purpose. Towards evening,
in the devious movements of the command, the Second Brigade became separated
from the rest of the division. The enemy, who was now in full force in
front, seeing this, threw a body of troops upon the road on which it was
advancing, and at the same time opened upon its rear with artillery. Its
situation was now critical. No way of escape seemed possible. Colonel
M'Quade who was in command, and who was much reduced by recent sickness,
proposed to surrender. But this Colonel Sweitzer, the next in rank,
stubbornly opposed, and the command was passed to him. Immediately throwing
out companies L and M of the Sixty-second as skirmishers to engage the
attention of the enemy, he commenced the perilous task of withdrawing the
brigade. By skillful maneuvering and fighting, which occupied nearly the
entire night, he finally succeeded in eluding the vigilance of the enemy,
and brought his command in safely. During the following day the regiment was
not engaged.

On Sunday morning, May 3d, the Eleventh Corps having been broken the
brigade was ordered to the right on the road leading to Ely's Ford, north of
Chancellorsville, where the artillery was concentrated. A line of
breast-works was thrown up west of the road, behind which the guns were
posted, and immediately in rear of them was the infantry. The Sixty-second
was detailed to advance as skirmishers into the woods in front of the works,
drive back the enemy, and establish a new and more advanced line. His
skirmishers were driven and some prisoners taken; but at this juncture, and
before a lodgment could be made, the rebels fired the woods, and the wind
blowing in the direction of the Union lines, it was compelled to retire. On
the following day, the brigade was ordered to advance in front of the lines,
reconnoitre the enemy's position, and without bringing on a general
engagement, ascertain if he was still inforce. Forming in two lines, the
Sixty-second Pennsylvania and Thirty-second Massachusetts, under Colonel
Sweitzer in the first, with the Fourth Michigan as skirmishers, it advanced
pushing the enemy's skirmishers before it, until it came upon his intrenched
line, when he opened upon its front and left flank a murderous fire of grape
and canister. The object of the reconnoissance being accomplished, the
command was withdrawn. In this movement the regiment lost fourteen wounded,
several mortally, five members of Company D being wounded by the explosion
of a single shrapnel. At three o'clock on the morning of the 6th, the Fifth
Corps retired from the front, and re-crossed the river, the First Division
being assigned as rear guard to the column. As the Corps moved, the enemy's
cavalry followed and began to be troublesome. The Sixty-second was
accordingly sent back to check him and hence was the last regiment to cross
the river.

Remaining in camp in the vicinity of Fredericksburg until the 1st of
June, it moved up to Kelly's Ford, and was there employed in picket duty,
the rebel army manifesting much activity. About the middle of the month, it
having been ascertained that Lee had started northward, the Union army
commenced a corresponding movement. At Middleburg the Sixty-second was
called to support the cavalry, and in the engagement which ensued the enemy
was driven. At sundown of July 1st the Fifth Corps arrived at Hanover
Junction. General Meade had previously been assigned to the chief command,
and General Sykes to that of the corps. Soon after its arrival, orders were
received to immediately resume the march, and proceed with all possible
dispatch to Gettysburg, where a battle had already opened, and where it was
determined to concentrate for a decisive fight. Though in no condition for a
forced march, being worn out with the fatigues of the day, the troops
cheerfully fell into line and before daylight on the morning of the 2d
arrived upon the field. Moving up the Baltimore Pike until it crossed Rock
Creek, the division was posted to the left of the road, and in rear of
Cemetery Hill, where it remained until late in the afternoon, in readiness
to go into action upon any part of the field where needed.

In the meantime the battle had been for some time raging fiercely on
the left, and as the Third Corps was hard pushed and in peril, the Fifth was
ordered to its support. The division moved off, left in front, the Second
Brigade taking position in a strip of woods on the right of the wheat field,
and in front of Little Round Top, with the First Brigade on its right, the
Sixty-second holding the left of the line. The position occupied by the
right of the line was rocky and wooded, the left extending into a ravine.
Soon the enemy was discovered advancing through this ravine. Seeing that it
was likely to be outflanked, the several regiments were wheeled to the left
and rear, giving three lines facing in the same direction and supporting
each other. The fighting became very warm, but as the brigade was favorably
posted it easily held its ground, and kept the enemy at bay. But the First
Brigade being in a less advantageous position, had been driven back, leaving
the Second in a critical situation.

At this juncture General Barnes, who commanded the division, ordered
Colonel Sweitzer to withdraw his brigade through the woods as best he could.
This the troops were reluctant to obey, not being apprised of the yielding
of the right of the line, and moved maintaining the contest as they went.
The brigade was again formed along the road in rear of the wheat-field, at
right angles to its former position. An hour later it again advanced across
the wheat-field to the support of General Caldwell, hotly engaged in the
wood beyond; but before reaching the stone wall upon the farther edge of the
field, the lines posted beyond gave way, the enemy following in large
numbers and charging with great impetuosity. Seeing that they were gaining
upon his flank and rear, Colonel Sweitzer changed front to the right and a
hand to hand struggle ensued. A staff officer was dispatched to communicate
with General Barnes; but the General had disappeared, the enemy was in full
force along the road in the immediate rear of the brigade, and no possible
way of escape seemed open. While returning the officer had his horse shot
under him. The woods which surrounded the wheat-field seemed to be swarming
with the enemy, every avenue of escape cut off, and the men terribly exposed
in this open field. Keeping a bold front, and pouring in volley after volley
as they went, the lines moved diagonally across the field, crossed the stone
fence in front of Little Round Top and had reached the low ground which
skirts the hill, when the Pennsylvania Reserves came charging down upon the
flank of the enemy, hurling him back in confusion, and rescuing them from
further peril. The brigade entered the engagement nine hundred strong, and
escaped with barely half that number. The loss in the Sixty-second was very
heavy. Colonel Sweitzer was wounded and had a horse killed under him. Major
Lowry, Captains Edwin H. Little and James Brown, and Lieutenants Scott C.
M'Dowell, Josiah P. Mouck and Patrick Morris were among the killed. Many of
the men were bayonetted, Colonel Jeffords of the Fourth Michigan dying on
the following morning of a bayonet wound. By order of General Sykes the
division was posted during the night along the stone wall at the foot of the
hill, to the right of Little Round Top, where it remained until the close of
the battle. As it marched away from Gettysburg the regiment could muster but
about ninety men.

Returning to Virginia, the Sixty-second participated in the "campaign
of maneuvers' which followed, and was engaged at Rappahannock Station, at
Locust Grove Church, and finally at Mine Run. It went into winter quarters
at Licking Run, and was employed in guarding a portion of the Orange and
Alexandria Railroad from the incursions of Moseby.

On the 1st of May, 1864, with ranks recruited, the regiment broke camp
and crossed the Rappahannock halting near Brandy Station, where the main
portion of the army had passed the winter. On the 3d a general movement was
commenced, the Fifth Corps, now under command of General Warren, in advance.
Crossing the Rapidan at Germania Ford, the regiment encamped on the evening
of the following day near the old Wilderness tavern. On the morning of the
5th it was employed in throwing up breast-works, the enemy in heavy force in
its immediate front. At ten o'clock the action opened and continued until
dark. The Sixty-second was on the extreme right of the division, and with it
advanced a half mile beyond the breast-works, where it became hotly engaged.
Not being supported upon the left, the enemy was enabled to outflank it, and
open an enfilading fire, causing it to yield; but the advantage was not
followed up and it retired in good order. On the morning of the 6th,the
battle was renewed and continued without decided advantage. On the morning
of the 7th the lines were advanced considerably, but without driving the
enemy from his intrenched position, and on the following night the regiment
moved with the corps to the left, in the direction of Spottsylvania Court
House. The column was much impeded by passing trains, and was all night upon
the march. At Laurel Hill, Ewell's Corps of the rebel army was encountered,
and a sharp engagement resulted, in which the Sixty-second participated,
losing heavily. The ground was closely contested, but was held and
substantial breast-works were thrown up. On the following day the regiment
was engaged in skirmishing, and on the 10th a battery was brought into
position on its left, which kept up an uninterrupted fire during the entire
day, doing good execution. The enemy's sharp-shooters, secreted in the wood
in front, proved very troublesome, and a constant fusilade was kept up. On
the 12th a charge was made along the whole line, in which the regiment
participated, and suffered severely. Lieutenant Colonel Hull, in command of
the regiment, was mortally wounded, and Lieutenants John E. Myers and
William Johnson were among the killed.

Captain William P. Maclay, of company C, now assumed command, and on
the night of the 13th moved to the left, taking position in front of
Spottsylvania. It was here almost constantly under fire until the 21st, when
it was again ordered to move. Taking up the line of march, the Sixty-second
in advance, the corps proceeded to the North Anna, and fording the river,
soon found the enemy. The troops were formed as fast as they arrived, and by
noon the entire corps and a part of the Sixth Corps were upon the field and
engaged. The battle lasted until sundown. After this, and until the 27th,
the hostile forces were maneuvered, but little fighting resulted.
Re-crossing the North Anna, and passing the Pamunkey, the enemy was again
encountered at Totopotomy Creek, and driven. On the 2d of June the regiment
was at the front and engaged, and on the following day in the battle of
Bethesda Church performed signal service losing heavily. In this engagement
Lieutenants William Phillips, Samuel M. Adams, and Jefferson Truitt were
among the killed.

Crossing the James River on the 16th, the brigade arrived at evening
in front of Petersburg. Two days later the regiment was hotly engaged near
the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad, the possession of which was stoutly
contested. General Griffin, who commanded the division, and whose faith in
artillery was remarkably strong, executed the novel maneuver of advancing a
battery in front of the line of skirmishers, and opening with grape and
canister. The enemy was soon driven, and the brigade advanced, possessed the
road and erected strong works beyond. On the 21st the regiment was again
engaged at Jerusalem Plank Road, but suffered little loss. Employed in
picket and fatigue duty until the 3d of July, the term of service of the
original companies having expired, it was ordered to the rear. Companies L
and M having still some further time to serve, were transferred to the
Ninety-first Pennsylvania, and the recruits and re-enlisted men, to the One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth. On the following day the regiment started for
Pittsburg, where, upon its arrival, it was mustered out of service. It
entered the campaign on the 4th of May with five hundred and fifty-seven
men, and in one month's time lost one officer and twenty-eight men killed,
eleven officers and two hundred and twenty-seven men wounded, and one
officer and thirty men missing. Six of the officers were mortally wounded
and died soon after. A month later companies L and M were withdrawn from the
front, and following the regiment to Pittsburg, were mustered out of service
on the 8th of August.

Source for history & rosters: History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers
1861-1865; prepared in Compliance With Acts of the Legislature, by Samuel P.
Bates, A Member of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Volume II, Harrisburg:
B. Singerly, State Printer. 1871.